Bears vs. Cowboys Week 8 NFL injury report, odds: Tony Pollard could be in line for big workload with Ezekiel Elliott questionable

The Dallas Cowboys are on their bye after hosting the Chicago Bears on Sunday. That coming off week might play a role in whether the team allows running back Ezekiel Elliott to play, as he's dealing with a sprained right knee suffered in this past Sunday's 24-6 win over Detroit. If Elliott sits, that could mean a huge workload for the team's second tailback, Tony Pollard. Dallas is currently -9.5 at Caesars Sportsbook. Elliott sitting might move the spread a half-point at most.

Elliott took a hit to his right knee in the second quarter vs. Detroit but returned and scored two touchdowns while finishing with 57 rushing yards on 15 carries. He was noticeably limping in the locker room after the game and won't practice today. The injury is not related to a PCL issue that bothered Elliott much of last season.

Coach Mike McCarthy giving Elliott an extra week off would factor in a potential decision this week, but McCarthy always could change his mind or be overruled by owner/GM Jerry Jones.

"That's just not the way we approach it, so we'll just see how he responds today," McCarthy said. "[Director of rehabilitation Britt Brown] will continue to build the plan based off what they accomplish [Wednesday]."

Elliott is no longer one of the best backs in the NFL despite a contract that pays him a monster base salary of $12.4 million this season. Many believe the Cowboys will release him this offseason because there is an out, but he's still solid with 109 carries for 443 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. Pollard has carried 67 times for 375 yards (a stellar 5.6 YPC) and two touchdowns. Pollard also has 11 catches for 105 yards.

The Bears are giving up an average of 149.7 rushing yards per game, the third-most in the league through seven games. They also are on a short week after surprising the Patriots in Foxborough on Monday night.

Chicago QB Justin Fields (11th) and Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons (12th) were selected with back-to-back picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. While the jury is out on Fields, Parsons might already be the best defender in the league and is the -120 favorite to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Fields has been sacked 27 times this season, most in the league. Parsons' seven sacks are second. Fields is also the most pressured quarterback (50%) this season and Parsons has an NFL-high 36 pressures.

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